Traveling across the Canadian -U.S.A. border

[ctcamper]

I am reading lots of varied information regarding the necessity of obtaining a USDA health certificate regarding the travel to and from Canada and the U.S.A. with Pets. Some say you need a health certificate. I can't find anything in writing that states you really need this.





I could not find any requirements on the Canadian side for anything more than a rabies certificate

On the USA side I found the following;
Only a proof of rabies is required for pets as per USDA:


Dog document here:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/v ... /ca_cn.pdf


Cats:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/v ... /ca_fe.pdf




I have gone across twice and never had a problem. However I was only going into NB Canada onto the Campobello Island so that may not be a good example of the normal crossing. They asked if I had a rabies certificate and that was all. They also searched the RV ( mostly just open a few doors and look right and left except they did toss all the clothes in the drawers around and left them a mess -- plus they took all the wood because there was a quarter size piece of bark still on it. They did not make me vacuum up the wood shavings and other bark pieces in the trunk of the toad though lol..............
Going back in was harder: Did you buy anything the US guard asked. I said yes a post card. He asked to see it and said he would let that slide. He kept us there for 10 minutes and double checked us on the computer with our licenses. I had my elderly mother along on that trip and she must have looked suspicious.
I have heard stories about the importation of food into canada and a couple of years ago I called the CA border offices. I was bounced around phone to phone and office to office until I reached what they told me was the main office.. Alberta I think it was or one of the provinces out west of the Great lakes. During those calls I was told several different things. Some said no, some said no problem The main office said I should have no problem with the dry food as long as I kept the label of ingredients with me as I traveled.


Has anyone ever had a border guard ask for a health Certificate?

Has anyone ever had dog food confiscated?

[Ottawa]

You should have a recent letter from your Vet that the pet is in good health, as well as an up to date Rabies vacination. Food is touch and go on both sides of the border, in that it depends on what the issues are at that time. In general you should be careful about fresh fruit/vegetable and meat. I can not stress it enough, do not bring wood into Canada. We are now fighting a number of diseases that will wipe out our forests of Ash and other species.

[FC Ontario]

We have been back and forth many times and have never been asked to even show the rabies certificate which I thbik is their main concern. I do keep the certificate right along with the MH registration and license in case I am ever asked. Pets are not really a problem as long as they are typical domestic pets,
JM2CW

[Monacoach]

The legal requirement for pets is current proof of rabies vaccination not less then 30 days before crossing border. Doesn't cost anymore to get a letter of good health from vet for extra insurance.

[TW]

We go with our Dogs, but nobody wants to see the Vet papers. We have them on Bord. We leave our Fridge nearly empty, when we cross and shop on the US side. On the way back we never got to show the fridge or any drawers. Right now more and more families go shopping south of the border. We all bring grocery back. We tell the Border people what we have
and can go home without any problems. We just do not buy meat and fruits / veggies.
What Ottawa and FC Ontario write is right on.

[ctcamper]

I suppose if they do dump the dry food I can always buy some in canada if I have to. I had called them before as I hate to change the dogs food without a few days adjustment... it sometimes throws off their systems.

When I asked the different offices about the food, I got a different answer just about every time lol ... At that time I think there was a big mad cow item going on so warned me about beef.

You would think since we are such good neighbors it would be easier.

[mofa]

I have experenced a mix bag of everything, no issues some times and the full check pull over there search. Have the necessary letters or vacinaton letter from your vet and no fress food going into USA and declair everything when you come back.

Recently I won big time at one of the casinos, when the US guards asked me just before crossing into Canada how much US I had I said I believed to be just under $10,000.00 (which it was, I told you I won big...anyways) when they asked exactly how much and I couled not answer, well........three hours later we now are checked everytime I cross. I just add one hour to my travel time going into the US. Wasn't trying to hide anything, just had a brain fart.

Moral of the story, know what you have and follow the rules.....its their rules, doesn't have to make sense.......its their rules!!

[Stevepkam]

Our dog has an immune disorder and cannot have rabies shot. We have letter from vet. Are we prevented from entering Canada and returning to the US?

[Grimesy]

Recently entered U.S. from Mexico and border officer was VERY fussy about papers on dogs. Our vet had put their certificates on one piece of paper and at first he saw only one name rather than 2. Some idiots are trying to smuggle undocumented dogs in so they are extra careful. Can't say about Canada but I would be extra cautious. I am sure DW would stay with dogs if they were refused re-entry. HMMMMM.

Don

[Wayne M]

Please check this link:

Pet Immigration Rules - Canada

[Ottawa]

The above only applies if you are immigrating to Canada, not visiting.

[Wayne M]

Okay, let's try this then: Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding pets.

Now I look at paragraph 3 at the very beginning and I get a picture that if I'm traveling through Canada I need to abide by this regulatory body.

What am I missing?

[ctcamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M Okay, let's try this then: Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding pets. Now I look at paragraph 3 at the very beginning and I get a picture that if I'm traveling through Canada I need to abide by this regulatory body. What am I missing?

They should really word it better...

"They apply to pet dogs entering Canada permanently, as well as pet dogs passing through Canada on their way to a final destination."

They mean by that you are going one way into Canada with the pets final destination being Canada:

[Wayne M]

I was wondering where this thread item went. I've been patiently waiting for it to pop back up because I'm to lazy to search for it. On May 3, 2011, I asked the following question by email to the subject, "Visitation to Canada With Pets."

Here is my email, and their response:

ME: "I'm hearing so many tales as to traveling to/through Canada with a
household pet. Can you tell me what documentation I am required to have
to take my household pet, a dog, into Canada?

Thank you."

RESPONSE: (French parts snipped)(Bolded by ME)
"Hello Wayne,

Thank you for using our website.

Dogs over the age of three months require a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian to enter Canada. The original document needs to accompany the animal at the time of the inspection. This certificate should identify the animal as in breed, color, weight, etc., and indicate the name of the licensed rabies vaccine used (trade name), including serial number and duration of validity (up to three years). Please note that if the duration of validity is not indicated on the certificate, it will be considered valid for one year.

There is no waiting period imposed when you accompany the animal between the time it is vaccinated for rabies and the time it travels back to Canada. There is no quarantine period either.

You would require an import permit for a pet dog, only if your dog is under 8 months of age and it is deemed as being used for commercial purposes and/or breeding purposes. Please note that you must apply for an import permit in advance of your dog(s)’ arrival to Canada. It takes approximately 5 business days to process import requests and import permits cannot be granted after the dog(s) have arrived in Canada.

Dogs imported into Canada will have a documentary inspection by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to ensure the rabies vaccination is current and the animal description matches. The fee is $30.00 + tax for the first animal and $5.00 + tax for each additional animal.

NOTE: If the animal arrives at a Canadian port of entry and does not meet the requirements above, an inspector will order the owner-at the owner's expense-to have the animals vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time (usually 2 weeks) and to provide the vaccination certificate to an inspector. That means, if you can not find a certified veterinaria, your dog will need to be vaccinated in Canada within 2 weeks' time.

I also suggest that you contact the airline carrier you will be travelling with to establish their requirements. They often require a health certificate.

Contact Canada Border Services Agency for any other information. In Canada, the telephone number is 1-800-461-9999. If you are calling from outside Canada, please telephone either 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long distance charges apply), or visit the Canada Border Services Agency website Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Kind Regards,
Anima Questions Team DG

Canadian Food Inspection Agency /
l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments
Tel: (613)225-2342
Fax:(613)228-6630
Email: anima_questions@inspection.gc.ca "

I'm sorry that I can't get more official than that. Now whether the Border Guards enforce it or not is a different matter. The above are the regulations. The choice to follow them is up to the individual.

Cheers!